Management Accountant

As a Management Accountant at United Living, your primary responsibilities will include processing and reviewing financial accounts, ensuring the accuracy of balance sheets across multiple business units, and maintaining a solid control environment. You will support periodic end processes, manage reconciliations, and provide vital forecasting analysis to inform decision-making. Essentially, your role is integral to the financial health and operational efficiency of the company's accounting services.

To qualify for the Management Accountant position at United Living, candidates should be part qualified or have relevant experience equivalent to a Qualified by Experience (QBE) status. Additionally, a strong technical background, proficiency in Excel, and keen attention to detail are crucial to effectively manage financial processes and ensure compliance with internal and external deadlines.

Essential skills for a Management Accountant at United Living include strong attention to detail, sound organizational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. A solid understanding of financial controls and processes, along with the initiative to take ownership of tasks and challenge inefficiencies, will help you succeed in this role. Relationship-building skills are equally important as you will interact with colleagues from Site Finance Assistants to Group-level Directors.

United Living provides a competitive benefits package for Management Accountants, which includes a bike-to-work scheme, company pension plan, private medical insurance, life insurance, and wellness programs. Additionally, employees enjoy flexible working options, including the possibility to work from home one day per week and additional leave allowances, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Yes, the Management Accountant role at United Living involves monthly travel to other company sites. This travel is essential for collaboration with different teams and ensuring cohesive financial management across business units, allowing you to build strong professional relationships within the organization.

Balance sheet accuracy is crucial because it reflects the company’s financial position and informs key financial decisions. In my previous roles, I ensured that all entries were carefully reviewed and reconciled to present a truthful representation of financial health. I would discuss specific methods I used, such as rigorous reconciliations and careful monitoring of discrepancies, to emphasize my attention to detail.

During month-end close, I prioritize tasks based on deadlines and the overall impact on financial reporting. I begin with reconciling accounts that are crucial to the balance sheet and then move on to less critical tasks. Using project management tools helps me track progress and ensure timely completion while maintaining accuracy.

In my previous position, I noticed discrepancies in expense accruals that could have led to significant misstatements. I brought this to the attention of my manager and initiated a review process, which allowed us to strengthen our accrual methodologies and improve our control environment. This experience showcases my ability to identify risks and work collaboratively for solutions.

I am very comfortable with Excel and regularly use functions like VLOOKUP, pivot tables, and advanced charting for data analysis. I also utilize macros for repetitive tasks to enhance efficiency, which helps streamline reporting processes and improve data accuracy.

In my previous roles, I regularly performed variance analysis as part of my financial reporting duties. I would compare actual results to budgets and forecasts to identify any discrepancies. I then explained these variances to stakeholders, providing insights that informed future budgeting and financial strategies, ensuring alignment with the overall company goals.

Ensuring compliance with internal controls requires regular reviews and updates. I keep abreast of regulatory changes and best practices, and work to implement control measures consistently. This includes thorough documentation of processes and regular training sessions with team members to ensure everyone understands compliance requirements.

I led a project to automate our reconciliation process, which significantly reduced manual workload and increased accuracy. By transitioning to automated solutions, we improved our efficiency, reduced errors, and allowed the team to focus on higher-value tasks. I would present measurable outcomes to demonstrate the success of the project.

I thrive under pressure by maintaining a well-organized schedule and staying focused on priorities. In high-pressure situations, I rely on effective time management and communication to delegate tasks when necessary and ensure that all deadlines are met without compromising quality.

What motivates me most in my role as a Management Accountant is the opportunity to contribute to the financial health of the organization. I take pride in creating accurate reports and analyses that lead to informed business decisions. Knowing that my work supports the overall success of the company drives me to continuously improve my skills and performance.

I admire United Living’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and community improvement. I am eager to work for a company that values its impact on society and promotes a collaborative and inclusive work environment. With my skills in accounting and a passion for contributing to meaningful projects, I believe I can make a positive impact in this organization.